“What does this mean for you? It means we are working towards making transportation within and around the university more accessible and affordable,” she said.
The initiative is expected to provide students with an alternative means of transportation while supporting the Federal Government’s broader efforts to encourage the adoption of cleaner energy sources.
Awareness Campaign to Explain CNG Benefits
Afu also said Project SPROUT included an awareness campaign to educate students and lecturers about CNG technology, how it works and its role in Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner mobility.
The campaign is intended to improve understanding of CNG-powered transportation and familiarise members of the university community with the technology as the programme expands.
By combining transportation services with public awareness, the initiative seeks to introduce students to alternative fuel options while addressing some of the mobility challenges associated with conventional fuel-powered vehicles.
The programme’s phased approach also provides for supporting infrastructure, including refuelling stations and conversion centres, which are necessary for the operation and expansion of CNG-powered transport services.
However, details regarding the number of buses to be deployed, the duration of the free rides, the specific routes to be covered and the timetable for extending the programme to other institutions were not provided in the announcement.
Project Team Outlines Implementation Responsibilities
The Project Coordinator of MDGIF-PiCNG projects, Engr. Ovoke Obire, said the team was responsible for supervising the construction of CNG stations and vehicle conversion centres across the country.
He explained that the implementation process also involved working with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to obtain the necessary licences for the facilities.
Obire said the team was also conducting awareness programmes for students and lecturers as part of the initiative introduced under President Tinubu’s administration.
He said, “We are also liaising with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to secure the required licensing for each of the facilities nationwide, as well as carrying out CNG awareness for students and lecturers on the initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The licensing process is intended to ensure that the relevant facilities meet regulatory requirements as the project progresses.
The development of refuelling infrastructure and conversion centres is also expected to support the wider deployment of CNG-powered vehicles under the programme.
Students Await Details of Wider Rollout
The launch at BUK marks a step in the Federal Government’s efforts to introduce alternative transportation options within tertiary institutions and reduce the cost of daily movement for students.
For university communities, the availability of free bus rides could help ease transportation expenses, although the scale of the benefit will depend on the number of buses deployed, their operating schedules and the areas they serve.
The proposed expansion of CNG infrastructure and vehicle conversion centres could also support the longer-term adoption of gas-powered transportation beyond the initial launch.
Further details are expected to clarify how students will access the free rides, how long the service will remain free and when other tertiary institutions will benefit.
The effectiveness of Project SPROUT will ultimately depend on the delivery of the promised transportation services, the availability of supporting infrastructure and the programme’s ability to provide reliable and affordable mobility for students and university staff.
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